Bipolar In The Workplace

I work in an office environment, for a technology company. My reputation there is one of tardiness, absent mindedness, and a bit of immaturity. Accurate? Sometimes. Sometimes I have no filter when I open my mouth. Other days I show up on time, keep serious and to myself, and offer great insight in meetings and conversations with those around me. Of course, my "higher" moods are much louder than my lower or more stable ones, and so those are the ones which form the impressions of me that those around me carry. I have to think I'm not the only one balancing on this public beam. Am I?

1. What's your work reputation like?
2. Have you felt compelled or inadvertently forced to disclose, either to a boss or a coworker, your bipolarity?
3. If yes to number two, how did they respond and has it changed things for the better or for the worse? Even if they knew, I don't think they could separate the person from the symptoms, because most people don't know the symptoms and even I have trouble separating the two.

I am currently not working due to BP but used to work and hope to return to work sooner rather than later. I have answered your questions based on my previous work experience

vintagenoise wrote:1. What's your work reputation like?

I think I was popular and thought to be good at my job and also down to earth. I think I was also viewed as quite eccentric. I also had some negative views I think due to being off sick a lot and I think ppl questioned my reliability. I also think sometimes ppl felt sorry for me. This was all before a formal diagnosis of BP tho my GP had suspected it by this point. I think there were some issues to do with being under supervision from my registering body as I needed things like colleagues to sign controlled drug prescriptions for me at some points tho this stopped before I went off sick.

vintagenoise wrote:2. Have you felt compelled or inadvertently forced to disclose, either to a boss or a coworker, your bipolarity?

I disclosed to some seniors like the head of the department and I think ppl pretty much knew something was up due to my going off sick a lot. I also told ppl who I considered as friends what was going on as in the environment I worked in your work friends were your other friends too due to the long hours and intense bonding experiences you had at work. However all I disclosed was that I was struggling as I did not have my formal diagnosis at this point.

vintagenoise wrote:3. If yes to number two, how did they respond and has it changed things for the better or for the worse? Even if they knew, I don't think they could separate the person from the symptoms, because most people don't know the symptoms and even I have trouble separating the two.

Ppl were supportive and helpful but I now wonder how superficial this was as when I went into hospital and left work I lost all my work friends. I think I would prob be more thoughtful about who I disclosed to nowadays.

It can be difficult if ppl are not educated about BP - you could always say to someone you disclosed to that if they have any questions they are welcome to ask. This might help.

Cracked

I used to be bad a work until i got on meds. Everyone thought i was a ahole, or just pissed off all the time.
After meds and therapy i started to tell workers about my BP because i felt some needed to know. Most understood why i was the way i was after i told them. And after i told them my behaviors got better at work.
I'm doing better at work and i still tell people about my BP more openly as its something that cant see.
A few always think the worse about BP due to negative media, but they understand better after i explain it to them.
I still have to watch my mouth at work because i work with alot of lazy people at work and they are one of my triggers.

vintagenoise wrote:I work in an office environment, for a technology company. My reputation there is one of tardiness, absent mindedness, and a bit of immaturity. Accurate? Sometimes. Sometimes I have no filter when I open my mouth. Other days I show up on time, keep serious and to myself, and offer great insight in meetings and conversations with those around me. Of course, my "higher" moods are much louder than my lower or more stable ones, and so those are the ones which form the impressions of me that those around me carry. I have to think I'm not the only one balancing on this public beam. Am I?

1. What's your work reputation like?
2. Have you felt compelled or inadvertently forced to disclose, either to a boss or a coworker, your bipolarity?
3. If yes to number two, how did they respond and has it changed things for the better or for the worse? Even if they knew, I don't think they could separate the person from the symptoms, because most people don't know the symptoms and even I have trouble separating the two.

My work reputation now is much better than it used to be. I have always had a high stress and high demanding job. Probably not the best I know, but I find that I cannot function in a lower position as I get bored super easy and that isn't good for my psyche at all.
I am highly praised at work and have been able to, up til lately anyway, to maintain that status and my level and quality of work.

for disclosing - I have thought about it but then remembered how bosses and HR react to things that they know about employees. So no at this point I will never tell anyone I report to about my issues.

vintagenoise wrote:1. What's your work reputation like?
2. Have you felt compelled or inadvertently forced to disclose, either to a boss or a coworker, your bipolarity?
3. If yes to number two, how did they respond and has it changed things for the better or for the worse? Even if they knew, I don't think they could separate the person from the symptoms, because most people don't know the symptoms and even I have trouble separating the two.

1. I have an excellent work reputation. Luckily, the last time I went manic I was taken off of work and didn't have a chance to ruin things. My Director did know I was ill, but I didn't tell her with what. I suspect she knew, though, because she is BP and had to take time off work herself.

2. I haven't ever been compelled or forced to disclose my illness at work. I never will. Perhaps if I go back the HR Director might be looped in just because I may need special arrangements about time off, but nobody other than that, ever, will find out. I cannot risk the stigma and it's not an environment where I want to be an advocate for changing that. I also don't want others at work to know where my weakness lies. It's so competitive.

1. My work reputation is one of a hard working, fun loving kind of person who jokes around a lot.

2. The only compulsion I have felt to disclose my Bipolar was from myself. I work in a supermarket and I know that when I am down it shows and when I am manic I work harder then anyone else. All of the management team know this, so when I am manic I let them know and they put me on the floor, I will run things out faster than anybody else.

3. I think I have been extremely lucky with all of my bosses who I have told about the Bipolar. They are all understanding and I get more support from them. But this is only my experience.